My First Experience with Edibles (What Worked, and What Didn’t)
Edibles. They’re a mystery to a lot of weed enthusiasts, with a bit of a scary reputation. I remember talking with more experienced stoners back when I was a canna-baby. They would say things like “you have to be really careful” and “oh yeah, I had a terrible trip one time.” Frankly, it scared the shit out of me.
So, of course, I had to try them. The following tale is one of triumph, troubles, and the intricacies of edibles. There are things I did well, but also things I did poorly. Now, we already have an informational article on trying edibles for the first time, but this is going to be a reflection on a real person’s first experience with them. So sit back, relax, and get ready for the (sort-of) shitshow.
The Product
I purchased THC gummies in a pack of 10. They were 50mg each, which means they were easy to dose. (Side note: this was on a Native American reservation between New York and Canada--we go there for weed because it’s cheaper, but the products can be somewhat less reliable/come in higher doses than would be allowed in the states).
These gummies were also modeled after one of my absolute favorite candies, so I took it as a sign.
I brought a friend with me (let’s call him Sam) to help recommend products. I also chatted with the budtenders at the dispensary about what I was getting. Both the budtenders and Sam thought it was smart going with smaller-dose gummies for my first time, so I listened to their advice and picked out my favorite flavor.
The Experiment
Sam dropped me off at home, and I was ready to try out my new gummies. So, I put on one of my favorite shows at the moment (Netflix’s The Crown) (rip Lizzy), made some snacks, and popped half a gummy. Having never done edibles before, I decided that less was probably more, and that 25mg was great to start with.
I was correct. As someone who really only smokes for a slight buzz, not to get super blazed, 25mg had me perfectly balanced on the precipice of tripping.
So, I laid in bed, watching fictitious Charles and Diana fight, and felt the most intense couch-lock of my entire life. I simply could not move from that place--my apartment could have been on fire around me, and I probably would not have gotten up.
And then, of course, one of my friends called. We don’t normally talk much on the phone, so seeing their name pop up gave me a rush of anxiety. When I answered the phone, they were with a few of our other friends, and I made the mistake of not immediately telling all of them that I was high.
Our conversation was a bit trippy--none of it felt real, and I was having trouble keeping up with my friends’ train of thought. Once they realized I was high, though, they changed the subject so that I didn’t completely "green out" and we chatted about our dogs (always one of my favorite topics).
After I chatted with my friends, I watched more Netflix, ate some more popcorn, and promptly fell asleep.
I thought that would be the end of it. I was wrong.
After a few minutes of getting myself ready for class the next morning, I realized that I was still high. Like, considerably high. High enough to not be able to drive safely to get to class, or go to the gym.
My high didn’t wear off until 11 AM, more than 15 hours after I took that 25mg of THC. When it finally did, I was able to go to the gym and make it to my afternoon classes, but I did miss my morning class.
Overall, I had a good experience, but there we certainly things I did well, and things I did poorly. Let’s get into those, so you can learn from my triumphs and shortcomings.
What I Did Well
There were quite a few things I did well during this experience, which I’m happy about. Most importantly, I did the following:
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Made sure I was in a comfortable environment. Your first time trying edibles should be in a comfy place, where you feel safe and secure. I’m glad I was at home, not on some random frat couch or in a barn somewhere.
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Started small. Starting with smaller doses of edibles is the safest way to go about it. I probably didn’t start small enough, but I also didn’t overdo it, which is really easy to do with edibles. The 25mg I took was the perfect amount (you can check out the chart at the bottom of this article for dosing recommendations).
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Enjoyed what I was doing. There are lots of fun things to do while stoned, but I’m glad I chose something low-key for this experience. Watching my favorite show and eating my favorite snacks was the perfect experience, since I knew I didn’t have to do anything. That was really helpful, since my couch-lock felt so extreme.
What I Did Poorly
There were also definitely mistakes I made, and things to learn from. I wanted to share those with you so you can also learn from them:
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Took my edibles too late. Highs can last over 12 hours, and I took my edibles too late in the evening. This led to me being high the next morning and having to skip my class (I hate that class anyway, but there is an attendance grade). Next time, I’ll dose earlier in the evening, so that I’m not still high the next day.
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Didn’t tell my friends I was high right away. If I had, then we probably wouldn’t have started talking about things that gave me anxiety. Luckily, I was able to use monroeblvd's guide to overcoming paranoia while high to relax, but it was a scary few moments. Next time, I’ll be more forthcoming to whoever I’m talking to about the state of my sobriety (or lack thereof).
Big Takeaway
My main takeaway from this experience, and the thing I want to share with others, is that edibles aren’t as scary as they're made out to be. Improper use can really make you sick (and I’ve had friends reach that point), but it's not the fault of the product.
At the end of the day, weed is a non-sentient plant. If it hurts you, it's only because you're using it incorrectly. Remember, it’s almost never the fault of the product!
Related article: Edibles 101: A Comprehensive Guide for First-Timers and Seasoned Consumers
When starting your journey with edibles, use my experience to help guide you. Overall, I would rate it an 8 out of 10, and I’m looking forward to trying it again. Next time, I'll either take my dose earlier in the night or just take a little bit less. But the most important part of that sentence is that there will be a next time!
So if you’re thinking about trying edibles for the first time, don’t be nervous! Remember, our guides can help you out, and we also have lots of yummy recipes if you’d like to make your own products.
Stay well, stay hydrated, and stay toasty!
About the author
Emma Grace is a lifelong writer, reader, and lover of the outdoors. She enjoys hiking and gardening, and hopes to someday grow her own cannabis plants. When she isn’t ignoring her college assignments in favor of exploring the great outdoors of upstate New York, you can find her holed up in a coffee shop or the campus library. Currently, she is making plans to publish her debut YA novel, *Match*, and takes pride in savoring every second that life has to offer.
